Image via Complex Original
San Diego is a tourist trap, for sure. You could spend an entire week doing the Lonely Planet’s must-see list, and do exactly the same thing every other San Diego vacationer does. And there’s no denying that would be fun (our zoo is pretty superb), but we think you can get a little more out of your next trip. Here’s our own to-do list of places to eat, drink, beach, and relax—that not everyone in America knows about already.
Rubicon Deli
Location: 3819 Mission Blvd.; 3715 India St.
If you’re spending the day at either Mission Beach or Mission Bay (which you should do!) stop in for lunch at Rubicon Deli, right on the main drag of Mission Blvd. The bread. That’s really all we have to say. Forget everything you knew about “delis,” because this is not it. Choose one of a half-dozen types of fresh bread, and then load it up with all kinds of creatively named sandwiches like Hog’s Breath and Rich Boy.
Mission Bay Sportscenter
Location: 1010 Santa Clara Place
While you’re at the Bay, stop in at the Mission Bay Sportcenter. While most locals own their kayaks and SUP boards, you can just rent some here and spend a few hours paddling around. That’s what we locals do on Sunday afternoons. And here’s the secret part that makes the Sportcenter different from all of the other water-gear rental places: At MBS you can give jetpacking a try. The price is steep, but it feels as if you are actually flying. Check it out here. And if you’re not feeling so adventurous, gather up eight of your friends and go Hot Tub Crusin’. Yes, this actually exists. And yes, it’s as awesome as it sounds.
Green Flash concerts at the Birch Aquarium
Location: 2300 Expedition Way
Want to catch live music, drink some craft beers, and still catch a jaw-dropping sunset? Each summer, local radio station KPRI FM partners with UCSD’s Birch Aquarium to put on the Green Flash concert series that runs from May to September. It’s actually at the aquarium, which boasts one of the most spectacular views in all of San Diego. And the exhibits are open too. So if you’d like to see stingrays and leopard sharks up close in between sets, you can do that too.
Puesto Mexican Street Food
Locations: 1026 Wall Street, La Jolla; 789 West Harbor Drive
Puesto was voted the 2015 Best Taco Shop by San Diego Magazine, so the secret may be out on this one. But, it’s been a local favorite since it opened. San Diego does Mexican food like New York does pizza—in other words, you know the food is going to be really, really good. What sets Puesto apart is how fresh every ingredient is, and you'll notice it. Plus, bonus: They now have a location near the convention center downtown, so if you’re stopping in on a business trip, check Puesto out.
Black’s Beach
Location: North of La Jolla Shores and south of Torrey Pines
The beaches in San Diego can be tightly packed, so if you’re looking for some room to spread out—and possibly the entire beach to yourself—head to Black’s Beach. The Torrey Pines cliffs make it more difficult to access, and though it has a well-known reputation as a nude beach, we’ve yet to see someone sans swimsuit there. It’s also a great surf spot—though don’t paddle out if you’re a beginner. There are no lifeguards, and it can be a big break with riptides.
There are trails down to the beach that can get a little perilous, but there are two relatively easy ways to get there as well. There’s a short-access road off of La Jolla Farms Road, near Black Gold Road, that’s a steep hike down but paved. Just save some water for the hike back up. And, it’s even easier to simply walk down from La Jolla Shores, toward the Scripps Pier, over the rocks and tide pools. When you’ve passed the pier and you don’t see anyone around—you’ve made it. You’ll also walk by La Jolla’s mysterious “Mushroom House” on the beach.
Lighthouse Ice Cream
Location: 5059 Newport Ave.
You may pass right by Ocean Beach to the more traditional So-Cal beach scenes of Mission and Pacific Beach, but Ocean Beach is a cool, little hippie neighborhood that’s fun to walk around. And the Lighthouse ice cream shop on the main street of Newport Avenue is a must-see. They make killer Belgian-waffle ice cream sandwiches. Eat as many as you can, then check out Dog Beach, where they hold dog surf competitions several times a year. (For real.)
Hotel Solamar Pool Bar
Location: 435 Sixth Ave.
San Diegans love their rooftop-pool bars, and probably the best-known one is at the Hard Rock Hotel because of those gigantic Sunday Funday parties. But we love the not-quite-so-crazy Hotel Solamar bar called LOUNGEsix. It’s a little smaller, but there are still plenty of people there to make it a scene. So start your night out right by heading to LOUNGEsix, and then hop around to the millions of other Gaslamp district spots.
Kate Sessions Park
Location: 5115 Soledad Road
On a trip to San Diego you may never go inland because why would you? But Kate Sessions Park is definitely worth an afternoon. Head east from Pacific Beach and up Mount Soledad; you’ll be surprised to see an enormous stretch of green in an otherwise densely populated area. It’s dog heaven, has an incredible view of downtown and the bay, and a relaxed vibe (plus, off-the-record, a more loosely enforced alcohol policy than the beaches). In the summertime, it’s the perfect spot to see the Sea World fireworks that go off almost nightly at closing time. And on the Fourth of July, you’ll see fireworks from all over San Diego.
